Method and apparatus for operating on sheet material



Jan. 21, 1941. NYE 2,229,121

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR. OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 27,1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORJ YYOfiNH/Y H r5 19:94PM A. PEN/Y 16442 MPew/v f m z a z JanlZl, N H NYE ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING6N SHEET MATERIAL 3 .Sheats Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1938 3 M W M M N 3 00mm 9 5 W2: Z M m oMoMo a M M m: 00 o oo r.|,|m1 W1 7 1 7 0 I 5 3 M m ya INVENTORS IYOkMfl/l fir: 41 PH Z. 011 1904! h. PEN/Y W 7 55 ATTORN 6Jam 21, 1941. N. H. NYE EIAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOROBERATING ON SHEETMATERIAL Filed April 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W I 2a 70' 70 75 1 ll 71! INVENTORS Nae/1011b! NYE 694 Ph 4. Paw/v Patented Jan. 21, 1941PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON SHEET MATERIALNorman H. Nye and Ralph L. Penn, Cuyahoga Falls, and Ralph W. Penn,Akron, Ohio, assignors of one-fourth to Edwin J. Mcllvried, Stow,

Ohio

Application April 27, 1938, Serial No. 204,623

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for operating on sheetmaterial for the production of bags or envelopes and other articles ofthis character. Our method and apparatus are 5 especially suitable forcarrying out operations on thin thermoplastic or heat-sensitive sheetinaterial, that is, sheet material which is subject to softening andseverance by the application of heat and pressure thereto, such ascellulo sheeting or the rubber sheeting known so mercialiy as Pliofllm."The mention of specific forms of such sheet material is only by way ofexample however, and it should be understood that our method andapparatus are capable of successful operation on various other kinds ofsheet material.

An object of our invention is to provide an im- 7 Another object (or.as-49) --i travel of the rotary member to dislodge the bags f of ourinvention is to provide improved apparatus with which our method ofoperating on sheet material can be rapidly and economically carried out.I

Still another object of our invention is to provide improved means forapplying heat and pressure to sheet material being advanced.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide improved apparatus, ofthis character, embodying a rotary member having spaced elements thereonto be engaged by sheet material overlying such member and in which meansis provided for creating a fluid pressure differential on opposite sidesof thematerial for pressing the same against proved method for the rapidand economical prpy" said elements.

duction of bags or the like, in which heat.. and pressure are appliedalong one edge of a strifi'of superimposed layers of sheet material tounite such layers therealong, and in which heat and pressure are thenapplied to the strip along longitudinally spaced transverse lines forsevering the strip into sections and at the same time sealing theadjacent severed edges to form bags.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved method foroperating on sheet material, in which the material passes over arotatable member having heating elements and in which a fluid pressuredifferential between opposite sides of the material acts to press thesame against the heating elements.

Still another object of our invention is to provide an improved methodof the character just mentioned, in which the fluid pressuredifferential produces a resultant force tending to press the sheetmaterial against the heating elements during a portion of the travel ofthe rotary member and, during another portion of the travel of therotary member, produces a resultant force tending to dislodge thematerial therefrom.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improvement in theproduction of bags, or the like, in which a strip comprisingsuperimposed layers of sheet material is subjected to heat and pressurealong an edge thereof to unite the layers hereaiong and is then passedover-a rotary member having spaced heating and severing elements adaptedto sever the strip into sections and to seal the adjacent severededgesto form bags, and in which a fluid pressure differential actsduring a portion of the travel of the rotary member to press thematerial against the heating and severing elements and acts duringanother portion of the It is also an. object of our invention to provideimproved apparatus, of the type referred to, in which means is providedfor electrically heating the elements of the rotary member.

, Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent fromthe following description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying sheets of drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of a machine constructed according to ourinvention and which may be used in carrying out our method;

F g. 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, somewhat diagrammatic in form, illustrating theprogressive treatment of the sheet material being acted upon;

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical sectional view taken through the machine asindicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and illustrating the construction ofthe rotary drum;

Fig. 5 is a detached end view of the drum;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1on a larger scale;

Fig. '7 is a front elevation showing a portion of the machine on alarger scale than in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view taken as indicated by line8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical sectional view taken as indicated byline9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken through the drumas indicated by line l0--l0 of Fig. 1 and illustrating constructionaldetails thereof;

Fig. 11 is a partial transverse sectional view taken through the drum asindicated by line I i-i I of Fig. 10; v

Fig. 12 is a partial transverse sectional view taken through anotherdrum and illustrating a. modified construction.

Fig. 13 is a partial transverse sectional view similar to-that of Fig.11, but illustrating another modified construction.

Fig. 14 is a partial front elevation similar to that of Fig. 7 butshowing a modified arrangement; and v Fig. 15 is a partial verticalsectional view taken on line |5-|5 of the modified arrangement of Fig.14.

More detailed reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich we have illustrated our improved method and apparatus foroperating on sheet material, but before proceeding with the detaileddescription it should be understood that although the machineillustrated in the drawings represents what we now regard to be thepreferred form of our apparatus, the invention may be embodied invarious other machines and our method may be carried out in variousother ways and on various other kinds of apparatus than hereinspecifically described.

Our method and apparatus for operating on sheet material is well suitedto the production of bags from the thin thermoplastic sheet materialcommercially known as Pliofllm, and, therefore, are hereinafterdescribed in connection with this material and the production of bagstherefrom. It should be understood, however, that the specific referenceto this material and to the particular articles mentioned, is madewithout intent to limit the invention because our method and apparatusare capable of operation on other materials and are adaptable to theproduction of various other articles.

In general, our method contemplates the advancing or feeding of thesheet material, preferably in the form of a strip |5 comprisingoverlying or superimposed layers l6 and I1. Heat and pressure areapplied to the strip along a longitudinal line thereof as it is beingadvanced to thereby render the material soft and tacky and unite thelayers l6 and I1 along such line. The line along which the heat andpressure are applied is preferably, though not necessarily, adjacent anedge of the strip such as the line I8 indicated in Fig. 3. The stripthen passes over a. rotatable member or drum in overlying relation toheating and severing elements and is pressed against such elements tocause heating and softening of the material along lines or areas l5extending transversely of the strip as shown in Fig. 3 and which areasare spaced longitudinally of the strip a distance corresponding with thecircumferential spacing of the elements. The pressure of the materialagainst the elements, combined with the softening or fusing of thematerial caused by the heating thereof, results in a severing of thestrip transversely along each of the areas or lines l9 to thereby cutthe strip into a plurality of similar sections 20. During the severingof the strip into the sections 20, the pressure applied to theheatsoftened material causes the adjacent severed edges of the sectionsto be fused together to thereby seal the layers of the sheet materialalong the longitudinal edges of the sections to form the bags orenvelopes 2 I. As will be readily seen from Fig. 3 the bags or envelopesthus formed have the overlying sheets or walls thereof sealed togetheralong the two side edges and one end thereof, but are unconnected at theother end to permit material to be inserted into the bag or envelope.

In Figs. 1 and 2 we show a machine for carrying out our method and whichoperates very satisfactorily. As shown in the drawings, this machine maycomprise an upright frame 23 and a ro atab e member or drum 25 operablymounted thereon and to which the strip material I5 is supplied. Theframe 23 may be of hollow construction to provide a chamber 24 adaptedto contain fluid pressure and into which at least a portion of the drumextends. This frame may comprise a pair of upright plates 26 spacedlaterally to provide the space or chamber 24 therebetween and havingaligned openings 28 in which end portions of the drum 25 operate. Sheetmaterial 29 conforming to the outline of the frame members 26 isconnected to the edges thereof to provide a connection between thesemembers and to enclose the space therebetween to complete the chamber24.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the openings 28 preferably extend across thefront edges of the frame members 26 so that a segment of the drum 25will project from the chamber 24. At this point the sheet material 29 isomitted to define a laterally extending opening 30 which leads into thechambar and through which successive portions of the drum surface areexposed to atmosphere as the drum is rotated. The drum may be mounted onthe frame in any suitable manner, such as by providing a pair ofbrackets 3| on the frame members 26 and in which the shaft 32 of thedrum is supported by the bearings 33. The drum is constructed of alength to accommodate a strip l5 of the desired maximum width and suchthat its ends project through and substantially close the openings 28 ofthe frame members 26. Driving means of any suitable form may be providedfor the drum such as the pulley 32 on the shaft 32 v and a belt 32connecting the same with an electric motor or other power device.

At a point adjacent the drum 25 the frame 23 is provided with suitablemeans for supporting a stock of the Pliofllm" or other sheet materialwhich is to be supplied to the drum. This stock supporting means maycomprise a lateral frame projection 23 and a bracket-like member 34mounted thereon and having a pair of laterally extending substantiallyparallel spindles 35 and 36 upon which rolls 31 and 38 of the sheetmaterial are supported respectively for unwinding of the layers l6 andH.

The strip l5 may be drawn from the rolls 31 and 38 by a pair ofcooperating feed rolls 40 and 4| between which the strip passes. Theroll 40 may be suitably mounted in a pair of brackets 42 which arecarried by the frame members 26 and rotates about an axis substantiallyparallel with the axis of rotation of the drum 25. This roll transfersor lays the strip i5 onto the drum and is preferably located adjacentthe lower edge of the opening 30 so that the maximum amount of wrap forthe strip can be had. The roll 40 may be driven by any suitable meansfor advancing the strip |5 at the desired rate and is preferably drivenat a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of the drum 25. Asshown in Fig. 2. this roll may be driven from the drum shaft 32 as bymeans of gears 44 and 45 which are connected, respectively with the drumshaft and roll.

The feed roll 4| cooperates with the driven roll 40 for pressing thestrip l5 thereagainst. The roll 4| is mounted on the brackets 42 in amanner to provide for adjustable movement toward and from the roll 40and may be retained at the adjustment which provides the desiredpressure on the strip.

The heat and pressure applied to the strip l5 for connecting the layersl6 and H along the longitudinal line l8 may be applied at a pointbetween the rolls of stock and the feed rolls 40 and 4|. For'thispurpose we provide a pair of cooperating disk-like rolls 56 and betweenwhich the strip l5 passes. The rolls 56 and 5| are mounted respectivelyin brackets 52 and 53 which are adjustable laterally of the machine,that is, transversely of the strip, preferably by being slidably mountedon a pair of bars 54 and 55 carried by the brackets 42. The lateraladjustment thus provided for the brackets 52 and 53 permits shifting ofthe rolls 56 and 5| to the desired point of operation on the strip |5.-In this instance the rolls 56 and 5| are arranged to act on the strip l5adjacent one end thereof as shown in Figs. 2 and '1.

The bracket 52 may be held against swinging on its bar 54 by theclamping action of a set screw 56 so that the roll 56 may act as ananvil or backing roll against which the strip I5 is pressed by the roll5|. The bracket 53 is preferably arranged to swing on the bar 55 so thatthe roll 5| may be swung toward or away from the backing roll 56. Thebracket 53 may be normally biased to press the roll- 5| against the roll56 as by means of atension spring 51 having one end thereof connected toa stud or extension 56 and its other end anchored on the transverselyextending tie rod 59.

Ahead of the rolls 56 and 5|, and at a point adjacent thereto, we mayprovide strip-guiding means such as a pair of laterally extendingstationary bars 59- mounted in the brackets 42 and between which thestrip passes. These bars serve to guide the strip and also assist inmaintaining the strip in a smooth and flat condition.

The rolls 56 and 5| apply both heat and pressure to the strip l5 for thepurpose explained above, and as a source of heat for these rolls weprovide an electric heating device 66 which may be mounted on the bars54 and 55 in adjacently spaced relation to the rolls. This'heatingdevice 66 may comprise a body 6|, formed of insulating material, andhaving electric heating units 62 and 63 mounted thereon. These heatingunits may correspond generally as to size and shape with the rolls 56and 5| and are mounted on the insulating body 6| so as to be disposedsubstantially opposite, and in adjacent relation to, the respectiverolls. Electric current for heating the units 62 and 63 may be suppliedthereto by the conductors 64. r

The cooperating rolls 56 and 5| are preferably formed of material havinggood heat-conducting characteristics, such as copper or brass, and byforming these rolls with large disk-like faces, it will be seen thatthey can be readily heated by radiant heat from the units 62 and 63. Inthis way the desired heating of the rolls 56 and 5| can be obtainedwithout encountering the difflculty of establishing electricalconnections for rotatable members. As shown in Fig. .8, the insulatingbody 6| is slidable along the bars 54 and 55 so that the heating device66 will be adjustable therealong as well as the roll-carrying brackets52 and 53. By adjusting the device 66 relative to the brackets thedesired heating effect of the units 62 and 63 on the rolls 56 and 5| maybe obtained and the heating device can then be clamped in the desiredposition of adjustment by the set screws 65.

The insulating body 6| of the heating device 66 may have a clearanceopening 66' therein through which the guide bars 59 extend.

Reverting now to the drum 25 to which the strip |5 passes from the feedroll 46, it will be seen from Fig. l

in a counterclockwise direction the strip will exthat when this drum isrotated I tend around the outer surface of the drum and the sections orbags 2|, which are severed from,

the strip, will be carried by the drum to the opening 36 and dischargedtherethrough. The drum may be of any construction suitable for theaccomplishment of the desired purpose, such as the construction thedrawings. As shown in Fig. 4,'the drum may comprise axially spaced endplates or heads 66 and 69 which are formed of suitable electricallyinsulating material such as Transite" and which may be pinned orotherwise secured to the shaft 32. A cylindrical facing 16, formed ofinsulating sheet material and havingcircumferentially spaced axiallyextending slots 1| therein, is'secured to the heads 68 and 69. Thefacing 16 may be formed as a continuous sheet of such material wrappedaround the heads and having the slots-1|. formed therein, or, ifdesired, it may be formed by mounting arcuate sections of the insulatingsheet material on the heads with the edges of the adjacent sectionsspaced apart to form the slots 1|. For reinforcing the drum andproviding additional support for the facing 16, we may mount anintermediate head 12 on the shaft 32 at a point substantially midwaybetween the heads 68 and 69.

The slots 1| of the drum facing 16 are located thereon at distancesspaced to correspond with the width desired for the bags 2| to be formedand heating and severing elements 13 disposed in or adjacent these slotsact on terial and sever the same transversely along the lines or areasl3. These heating elements may be of any appropriate form, forexample,'they may be wires or bars which are heated by the passage ofelectric current therethrough. For mounting these wires on the vide acircumferential series of plates 14 on the head 68 and anothercircumferential series of plates 15 on the opposite head 69, the platesof the latter series being in offset or staggered relation to the platesof the head 66. The plates 14 and 15 may be secured to the respectiveheads 66 and 69 of the drum by means of suitable studs or screws 16.Each of the plates 14 and 15 carries a pair of clamping devices 11 whichare spaced apart the same arcuate distance as the slots 1| of the drumface. The plates 14 and 15 are mounted on the drum heads 66 and 69 withthe clamping device 11 in axial alignment with the slots 1| so that theends of the heating elements 13 may be gripped and held by thesedevices.

. As shown in Figs. and 11, each of the clamping devices 11 may comprisea slotted part 16 which may be an integral extension of the plate 14 (orplate and a pair of aligned screws 19 and66 extending into the slot withtheir ends in opposed relation. The ends of the heating element 13extend into the slots of extension parts 11' and are gripped by theopposed ends of the screws 19 and 86. The radial position of theelements 13 with respect to the drum surface can be varied or adjustedby adjustmentof the cooperating screws 19 and 66. It will also be seenthat which we have illustrated inthe strip |5 during the rotation of thedrum to soften the sheet ma-.

drum we may. prov when replacement of the heating elements 13 is 1necessary or desirable, the old elements can be easily removed byloosening the screws 19 and new elements can be quickly substituted andclamped in place by tightening of these screws.

The plates 14 at one end of the drum 25 can all be of similar oridentical construction. The plates 15 at the other end of the drum canalso be means of the conductors 82 and 83.

of similar construction, but one of thelatter plates, such as the plate15, is formed of spaced sections so that a desired electrical circuitcan be maintained through the heating elements 13. It will be seen fromthe staggered arrangement of the plates I5 with respect to the plates14, that each of the elements I3 has one end thereof connected with oneof the plates 15 and its opposite end connected with one of the plates14. By reason of this arrangement the elements 13 are electricallyconnected in series with each other and the two sections of the plate I5form the terminals of this series circuit.

For establishing electrical connection with the elements I3, we mayprovide one of the drum heads, for example, the head 68, with a pair ofcollector'rings- 8| and 8| which are connected respectively with thesections of the plate Li by Electric contact may be made with thecollector rings 8| and 8| during rotation of the drum 25 by means ofsuitable brushes 84 and 85 which are carried by a brush holder 86 andbear against these rings. A pair of conductors 81 and 88 leading from asuitable source of current are connected with the brushes 84 and 85.

For pressing the strip I5 against the face of the drum 25 and againstthe heating elements 13, we

, create a fluid pressure differential between opposite sides of thestrip. This pressure differential is obtained by creating a pressure inthe chamber 24 of the frame 23 such as by forcing air into this chamberthrough the conduit 90. The air pressure in the chamber 24 presses thestrip against the drum surface so that when the drum is driven by thepulley 32 it will carry the strip along with it and thus advance thematerial toward the opening 30. The air pressure in this chamber alsopresses the strip against the heating elements I3, and upon softening ofthe thermoplastic material, the pressure on the strip causes the same tobe severed by the elements. The severing of the strip at these pointspermits the severed edges of the sections 20 to be deflected towards theinside of the drum by a flow of air from the chamber 24 into the drumthrough the slots 1|. Interference between these inwardly deflectededges and the drum structure may be prevented by providing the drumheads 68, 69 and I2 with clearance recesses 9| adjacent the heatingelements I3. This flow of air through the slots serves to cool andharden the severed edges of the material and, in addition, it will beseen that the inwardly deflected edges will assist in holding the newlyformed bags in place on the drum until they arrive at the opening 30.

The flow of air into the drum from the chamber 24 creates a pressure inthe drum which may be 7 lower than the pressure in the chamber but whichbags delivered at the opening 30 may be collected by any suitable meanssuch as by providing a container 192 at this point to catch the bags asthey are discharged. from the drum.

To avoid sparking or short-circuiting at the heating element I3, we mayconstruct the feed roll 40 of suitable insulating material and may alsoprovide laterally extending insulating strips 93 and 94 on the frame 23at the upper and lower edges of the opening 30.

In addition to the slots II of the drum facing "I we may also providerelatively numerous perforations 95 in the drum facing to enable thepressure in the chamber 24 to more firmly press the strip I against thedrum surface. In some conditions of operation these perforations may notbe needed and can be omitted.

Instead of forming the heating elements I3 of the drum as individualround wires we may employ other specific forms of heating elements suchas bars 98 of substantially triangular cross-section, as shown in Fig.12, or we may employ heating elements consisting of a group of wires asshown in Fig. 13. When the heating element consists of a group of wires,as shown in this instance. the center wire 91 is heated to a temperaturehigh enough to sever the sheet material 98, and the wires 99 may beheated to a temperature only high enough to soften or fuse the sheetmaterial;

In constructing the frame 23 of the machine it may be desirable toprovide for ready access to the chamber 24 and to the drum 25 and forthis purpose we may provide hinged or removable doors I00 and IM in therear and top walls of the chamber. One or both of these doors may beprovided with windows for observing the operation of the drum during aproduction run.

Instead of using the above-mentioned pair of cooperating pressure andsealing members 50 and 5| for joining the layers I6 and II of the stripI5, we may provide sealing means of the form shown in Figs. 14 and 15.In this latter arrangement we provide a sealing and joiningrnember I03past which the strip I5, comprising overlying layers I6 and I1, ispulled by the feed roll 40 and 4|.

The sealing member I03 may comprise an arm I04 and a heating element inthe form of a shoe I05 against which the strip I5 is pressed by reasonof the tension therein. The shoe I05 may be formed of resistance ribbonbent to the desired shape and mounted on .an insulating block I08 whichis carried by the arm I04. Electric conductors I01 and I08 may beconnected with the shoe for supplying heating current thereto. The armI04 may be mounted on the laterally extending bar 54 so as to providefor both lateral and pivotal adjustment and may be clamped in thedesired adjustment by means of the set screw I09.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it will now bereadily seen that we have provided an improved method and apparatus forrapidly and economically producing bags or envelopes and like articlesfrom Pliofilm or other sheet material. It will also be seen that we haveprovided a novel method of operating on sheet material in which apressure differential is utilized for pressing the material againstelements of a rotary member and in which a pressure differential mayalso. be used for dislodging the articles.

While we have illustrated and described the method and apparatus of ourinvention in a somewhat detailed manner it should be understood,however, that we do not wish to be limited to the precise steps ofprocedure and forms of apparatus herein disclosed, but regard ourinvention as including such changes and modifications as do notconstitute a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope ofthe appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a method of operating on thin thermoimposed strips of suchmaterial: and a machine element'intocontact witheach other by travelingmovement, and creating a" fluid pressure diilerential between oppositesides oi'the m'aterialfior pressing the material against the machineelementl 2. In a method of operating on thin sheet material, the stepsof bringing such material and a machine element into contact with eachother, and creating a fluid pressure differential between opposite sidesof the material first with a resultant Iorce acting to press thematerial against said element and then with a resultant force acting tomove the material away from the element.

3. In a method of making bags by severing thin thermoplastic sheetmaterial or the like and sealing the severed edges, the steps ofbringing superimposed layers oi such material and a heating and severingelement into contact with each other, and creating a fluid pressurediflerential between opposite sides of the material for pressing thematerial against the element.

4. In a continuous method of making bags from thin thermoplastic sheetmaterial or the like comprising, leading superimposed layers of suchmaterial in strip form over a rotary member. having spaced heating andsevering elements thereon, and creating a fluid pressure differentialbetween opposite sides of the material for pressing successive portionsthereof against said elements as the strip is advanced.

5. In a continuous method of making bags from thin thermoplastic sheetmaterial or the like comprising, leading superimposed layers of suchmaterial in strip form over a rotary member having spaced heating andsevering elements thereon, 'and creating a pressure differential betweenopposite sides of the material first with a resultant force acting topress successive portions against said member and elements as the stripis advanced and then with a resultant force acting to dislodge severedsections of the strip from said rotary member.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotarymember having spaced heating elements and adapted to be driven foradvancing strip material in overlying relation to said heating elements,and means providing for the flow of air under pressure toward saidmember during one portion of its travel and away from said member duringanother portion of its travel whereby the material is pressed againstsaid elements during said one portion of the travel of the rotary memberand the severed sections are dislodged from the rotary member duringsaid other portion of its travel.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a rotarymember having spaced heating elements and adapted to be driven foradvancing strip material in overlying relation to said heating elements,a housing at least partially surrounding said rotary member, and meansfor supplying air under pressure to said housing for pressing thematerial against said elements.

8. In apparatus of the character described the combination of a housingforming a pressure chamber having an opening therein, a hollow rotarymember having peripheral openings and spaced heating and severingelements, said member being arranged to operate in said opening withstrip material to be severed overlying said elements, and means forsupplying air .Ior pressing the material toward that portion of therotary member which extends into the chamber and tor dislodging severedsections from the portion which is exposed by the chamber-opening.

9. In a machine for the continuous production of bags from thinthermoplastic sheet material or the like, a hollow frame providing apressure chamber with an opening to atmosphere, adrum havingcircumferentially spaced openings and heating elements in or adjacentsuch openings, means mounting said drum for rotation in said chamberopening for advancing superimposed layers of such material in overlayingrelation to said elements, and means for creating a. superatmosphericpressure in said chamber and drum for pressing the material against saidelements and for dislodging the bags from the drum.

10. In apparatus for operating on thin sheet material, a rotary member,means for causing the sheet material and said rotary member to bebrought adjacent each other, aplurality of heating elements spacedaround the periphery oi! said rotary member for operating on the sheetmaterial, and means mounting said elements on the rotary member andproviding for adjustment of the elements as to their distance from a.common rotation axis.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drum havingperipherally spaced elements for operating on thin sheet material, meansfor supporting a roll of such sheet material adjacent said drum, ahollow structure at least partially surrounding said drum, means forsupplying fluid pressure to said hollow structure for pressing the sheetmaterial against said drum and elements, and means for driving the drumto unwind the sheet material from said roll.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a. rotatable drum havingperipherally spaced elements for operating on thin sheet material, meansfor supporting a roll of such sheet material adjacent said drum, ahollow structure atleastpartially surrounding said drum, means forsupplying fluid pressure to said hollow structure for pressing the sheetmaterial against said drum and elements, means for driving the drum tounwind the sheet material from said roll, and means adapted to act onthe sheet material at a point between said supporting means and drumcomprising cooperating members for applying heat and pressure to thesheet material.

13. In apparatus for operating on sheet material, the combination of arotary member having spaced elements adapted to be brought into contactwith the sheet material and heated sufflciently to sever the same, meansfor heating said elements, and means for causing fluid pressure to acton the material for pressing the same against said elements. Y

14. In apparatus of the character described the combination of a rotarymember having spaced heating elements and adapted to be' driven foradvancing strip material in overlying relation to said heating elements,means for driving said rotary member, means for electrically heatingsaid elements sufliciently to sever said material, and means for causingfluid pressure to act on the material for pressing the same against saidelements.

NORMAN H. NYE. RALPH L. PENN.

RALPH W. PENN.

